Publix Founder's Legacy Explored in New Documentary, 'Mr. George'

Jim Carleton, co-director and editor, gives directions to actor Luke Manley, who plays a young George Jenkins, during a re-enactment scene in the documentary "Mr. George." (PHOTO PROVIDED BY NFOCUS)

By MATT REINSTETLETHE LEDGER

Published: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 4:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at 4:28 p.m.

Inside every Publix supermarket hangs a portrait of its late founder George Jenkins.

Facts

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Mr. George."

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

LOCATION: Polk Theatre, 121 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland.

TICKETS: $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students, $4 for children.

CONTACT: 682-7553 or www.polktheatre.org.

Customers pass by those portraits every day, many never knowing what kind of person Jenkins, more affectionately known as "Mr. George" by his employees, was.

"Mr. George," a biographical film based on the life of George W. Jenkins, will premiere at the Polk Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with two additional showings Saturday and Sunday.

The 70-minute film, made by NFocus, was commissioned by Jenkins' children.

NFocus, a Lakeland film production company, has worked on feature-length films such as "Endure," starring Judd Nelson, in 2010 and the award-winning documentary "Voices From Mariel."

Rob Tritton, who served as co-director and producer of "Mr. George," said the Jenkins family approached NFocus two years ago to create the documentary.

Tritton said the film, narrated by actor Tom Selleck ("Magnum P.I."), is about the life and legacy of Jenkins (1907-1996), starting with his early days as a boy in Georgia, before moving to Florida and starting Publix Super Markets, which is headquartered in Lakeland. The film then follows the grocery store chain's growth and expansion and Jenkins' philanthropic and charitable contributions until his death at age 88.

Tritton said people viewing the film will learn more about the culture of Publix and what makes it so special.

"I guess I came away with a greater appreciation of how generous (Jenkins) was and not just in philanthropy, but generous to the people that worked for him," he said. "They loved him dearly, and it was his spirit of making them part of the business — owners of the business — that made them so endeared to him."

Publix Super Markets started in Winter Haven as a small, self-service grocery store in 1930 and now is one of the largest employee-owned businesses, with more than 1,000 stores in six states with $27 billion in annual sales.

"Mr. George was a very special person and touched the lives of countless people," said Brian West, media and communications relations manager at Publix. "We are excited about the documentary and the opportunity to recognize his legacy."

Tritton said the most challenging part of creating this documentary was deciding which footage to use.

"We had probably 40 hours of material, between personal interviews and archival interviews. So when you have 40 hours of material and you're trying to get it (down) to 70 minutes, there's a lot that gets cut," Tritton said.

Tritton said he wanted to make sure he gave justice to every aspect of his life.

"The Jenkins family is proud to support the documentary of my father, George Jenkins," said Carol Jenkins Barnett, Jenkins' daughter and president of Publix Super Markets Charities, in a statement. "It's our sincere hope that our loyal customers and associates alike will learn more about the businessman, entrepreneur and family man that my father was and the legacy he left behind. Even more so, we hope to inspire a connection between the man in the photo in our Publix stores and our associates."

After the film's limited release at Polk Theatre, Tritton said a DVD and digital versions of the film will be for sale in late spring.

[ Matt Reinstetle can be reached at matt.reinstetle@theledger.com or 802-7533. Follow Matt on Twitter @LedgerMatt. ]

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